We are
We are 50 persons between 15 and 60 years from the county Saxon Switzerland (Saechsische Schweiz). We are politically neutral and expose themes like racism and right-wing extremism especially in our region. We create projects to support the comprehension of democracy in young people thinking and to solve problems like violence, racism and right-wing extremism.
Our organization believes in community outreach through sponsoring information events, booklets and flyers. We focus our attention on making amends of our past. Our intention is to expose the, symbols and activities of right-wing extremists by shedding light on the mistakes of our past. It is our history but we do not have to embrace it, we understand it and do not wish to continue down the same path. We want to prevent such ideology and behaviors especially when it concerns the care of victims of violent actions of these hate groups. We escort and advise victims by doing a consultation or we escort them on their way to the court. If necessary we consult them to specific contacts that can help them. We have a 24 hours hotline that they can call in case of emergency.
We organize many multiplex culture arrangements, readings, theater performances and concerts to offer young people alternatives. We sponsor parties designed to promote healthy and enjoyable recreation. For us it's really important to support other initiatives through our knowledge and our experiences. We want to promote the ideals of democracy and tolerance. After all we know how difficult the first steps are and how important dependable partners are. Aside from this we organize seminars, panels, workshops, educational journeys and meeting camps. We have a Homepage to inform everyone about right-wing extremism and its consequences with evidence of basic approaches for actions. The projects that we sponsor promote working together with institutions, schools, associations, initiatives, authorities, politicians and the media.
Our organization was formed in 1999 because of appalling election results for right-wing parties in the Saxony Switzerland. We did not believe that the violence against non-right-wing young people and foreigners that was supported by this party was justified. We were quick to respond to the activities of a hate group called, "Skinheads Saechsische Schweiz (SSS - Skinheads Saxon Switzerland)". In June 2000 the "LKA Sachsen" (police department for criminal affairs) raided over 50 apartments of members of the "SSS". They found many weapons and munitions as well as 2 kilograms of TNT and igniters. In 2001 these union of right-wing extremists got interdicted by the Saxon minister of the interior Klaus Hardrath because of formation of a criminal union. In May 2003 five members of the "SSS" got issued with a final sentence concerning the formation and membership of a criminal union. The situation at hand went beyond the not unions of right-wing extremism. The cultural environment and the mentality of the racism affected our everyday lives. This "Everyday life-racism" and the so-called members poisoned our region. Young people in our society are very impressionable. Their belief systems are not set yet leaving them as open targets to the NPD (national party of Germany) and the unions of right-wing extremism. Their focus is to try to reach young people with their strategies and activities. Unfortunately, they don't find deaf ears. Therefore, we think it�s important to show young people that there are other alternatives. Stupid slogans don't solve social problems. These prejudices only make a bogeyman. Rather we endorse a climate with no allowances for right-wing extremism, nationalism and xenophobia.
We can not change the past, but we
must co-design our democratic future.
